The future of the Big 12 could hinge on whether Oklahoma seeks entry into the Pac-12.

The future of the Big 12 could hinge on whether Oklahoma seeks entry into the Pac-12.

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In Oklahoma leaves, Texas is almost certain to follow.

In Oklahoma leaves, Texas is almost certain to follow.

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As the Big 12 crumbles, other athletic power could be absorbed into the Pac-12, including Oklahoma State ...

As the Big 12 crumbles, other athletic power could be absorbed into the Pac-12, including Oklahoma State ...

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and Texas Tech.

and Texas Tech.

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Oklahoma, Oklahoma State to apply to Pac-12, report says

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Oklahoma will petition the Pac-12 Conference for membership before the end of the month and Oklahoma State will follow, Chip Brown of Orangebloods.com reported, citing a source in the Oklahoma administration.

According to the Orangebloods.com report, the Oklahoma board of regents will meet in the next two months to finalize plans to petition the Pac-12. Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott said Friday he is not interested in expansion.

Colorado President Bruce Benson also said he is opposed to expanding the conference, especially if it puts the Buffaloes in a Pac-12 East division with several former Big 12 powers.

But major athletic powers such as Oklahoma and, potentially, Texas might be too good to refuse.

However, according to Brown, sources in the Texas administration have said they will consider “all options” if the Big 12 falls apart, especially if joining the Pac-12 means forfeiting the Longhorn Network.

Last summer, the Pac-10 courted several Big 12 schools and appeared to have a deal in place to create a Pac-16 with Texas leading the exodus, bringing Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and Colorado with it. But the deal fell apart at the last minute as Texas was permitted by other conference schools – desperate to keep the biggest fish in the league – to create its own television network.

But things have changed. Texas A&M likely will be gone after this academic year, leaving nine schools in the Big 12. The Pac-12, which was formed with the addition of Colorado and Utah after the original Big 12 deal fell apart, suddenly has an attractive network of its own, with six regional channels and a national Pac-12 Network channel.